Bariatric patient management system

ABSTRACT

A bariatric bed having extensible side portions and extensible end portions which facilitate an expansion of the overall width and length of the bed to comfortably support an obese patient, the side portions capable of being retracted to reduce the overall width of the bed to fit through a standard hospital door opening, the bed including a plurality of load cells which transmit a signal to a weigh scale to provide a readout of the weight of the patient.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional patentapplication Ser. No. 60/436,555, filed Dec. 26, 2002.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a patient management system and moreparticularly to a bariatric patient management system having extensibleside portions and extensible end portions which expand the width andlength of the system to facilitate supporting an obese patient.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A growing number of people are becoming obese to the point bariatricsurgery becomes necessary for the patient to lose weight and avoid alife of obesity. While the trend toward obesity concerns health expertsthroughout the world, obesity is being treated by bariatric surgery.Such surgery procedure involves the sealing off of eighty-five percent(85%) of the patient's stomach. In such procedures, it is necessary tosupport the patient during the surgical procedure and transport thepatient before and after the surgical procedure and duringconvalescence.

Bariatrics is typically defined as the branch of medicine concerned withthe management of obesity and allied diseases. The above referredexample of bariatric surgery is only one of the examples of an instancewhere it becomes necessary to support persons of considerable weight. Ithas been found necessary to deal with persons weighing up to andexceeding one thousand pounds.

Accordingly, it has become necessary to develop beds, stretchers,chairs, and/or tables capable of supporting the weight of personsweighing up to and exceeding one thousand pounds.

Typically, a standard hospital bed can be adjusted to control bothmattress contour and height above the floor. The standard hospital bedis rated for approximately 350 pounds of weight. When it is necessaryfor the hospital bed to be moved, it is transported by rolling oncasters. The standard hospital bed is typically 39inches wide so as tofit through a standard hospital door.

The bariatric bed must have the capabilities of the standard hospitalbed. That is, the bariatric bed is capable of adjusting the contours ofthe mattress and raising or lowering the elevation of the mattress abovethe floor. However, the bariatric bed is typically wider than thestandard hospital bed, thus restricting the mobility of the bariatricbed within the hospital. The bariatric bed can be as wide as 60-inches,thus being much wider than the standard hospital door.

It would be desirable to produce a bariatric bed which combines a fullarray of functions including: flat, seated, reclining, and trendelenburgpositions for patient transfer, transportation, examination, treatment,surgery, procedural, and cardiac chair position, and wherein themobility of the bariatric bed is maximized.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Consistent and consonant with the present invention, a bariatric bedwhich combines a full array of functions including: flat, seated,reclining, and trendelenburg positions for patient transfer,transportation, examination, treatment, surgery, procedural, and cardiacchair position, and wherein the mobility of the bariatric bed ismaximized, has surprisingly been discovered.

The bariatric patient support system comprises: a body supporting mainframe having a mattress supporting surface, the main frame including atleast one of an extensible side pull out extension and an extensible endpull out extension to increase an area of the mattress supportingsurface; a plurality of ground engaging wheels disposed on the mainframeto facilitate a transporting of the bariatric patient management system;and a plurality of actuators to effect a change in a contour of themattress supporting surface of the main frame.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The above, as well as other objects, features, and advantages of thepresent invention will be understood from the detailed description ofthe preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to theaccompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a top perspective view of a bariatric patient managementsystem for supporting a bariatric patient in accordance with the presentinvention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the bariatric patient managementsystem illustrated in FIG. 1, and showing a trapeze suspended from aboom assembly;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective view of the bariatric patient managementsystem illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial exploded perspective view of the bariatric patientmanagement system illustrated in FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a partial exploded perspective view of the bariatric patientmanagement system illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 showing the boomassembly for the bariatric bed;

FIG. 6 is a partial perspective view of the bariatric patient managementsystem illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4 showing a pull out extension;

FIG. 7 is a partial exploded perspective view of a load cell and wheelassembly for the bariatric patient management system illustrated in FIG.1; and

FIG. 8 is a side elevational view of the load cell and wheel assemblyillustrated in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown generally at 10 a topperspective view of a bariatric patient management system or bed inaccordance with the present invention. The bariatric patient managementsystem 10 includes a body supporting main frame 12, a headboard 14, afootboard 16, and ground engaging wheels or casters 18 for supporting apatient, as clearly illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.

The main frame 12 can be of solid or split construction and includes abackrest section 20, a middle section 22, a leg section 24, and a footsection 26 disposed thereon. The backrest section 20, the middle section22, the leg section 24, and the foot section 26 cooperate to form amattress supporting surface 27 for the bariatric patient managementsystem 10. The backrest section 20 includes a pair of backrest panels28. A substantially planar surface is formed by the backrest panels 28.In the position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the backrest panels 28 areparallel with a supporting surface 30 such as a floor, for example. Eachof the middle section 22, the leg section 24, and the foot section 26includes at least one respective middle panel 32, leg panel 34, and footpanel 36.

Both a first side and a second side of each of the backrest section 20,the middle section 22, the leg section 24, and the foot section 26include an extensible side pull out extension 38. In the embodimentshown, the side pull out extension 38 telescopes outwardly. FIG. 6 showsa partial perspective view of the side pull out extension 38. Aplurality of locking apertures 40 are disposed in the side pull outextension 38. A spring loaded locking pin 42 is disposed on therespective sections 20, 22, 24, 26 and cooperates with the apertures 40to lock the side pull out extension 38 in a desired position. Otherlocking means may be used without departing from the scope and spirit ofthe invention. An extensible end pull out extension 44 is provided at anend of the main frame 12 adjacent the foot section 26. As illustrated inthe drawings, the end pull out extension 44 telescopes outwardly.Referring to FIG. 3, a plurality of locking apertures 46 are show whichare disposed in the end pull out extension 44. A spring loaded lockingpin 48 is disposed on the main frame 12 and cooperates with theapertures 46 to lock the end pull out extension 44 in a desiredposition, clearly shown in FIGS. 1-4. Other locking means may be usedwithout departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Anextensible end pull out extension 44 can also be provided at an end ofthe main frame 12 adjacent the backrest section 20.

A trapeze base frame 50 is disposed on an end of the main frame 12adjacent the backrest section 20. As shown in FIG. 5, outwardlyextending arms 52 of the trapeze base frame 50 are received adjacent themain frame 12 and fastened thereto by any conventional fastening methodsuch as threaded fasteners, for example. The trapeze base frame 50 andthe arms 52 cooperate to facilitate a two-point mounting configuration.Common four-point mounting configurations require two additionalmounting columns which obstruct access to the bariatric patientmanagement system 10. A trapeze boom 54 is pivotally received on thetrapeze base frame 50. A spring loaded locking pin 56 cooperates withapertures 58 formed in the trapeze base frame 50 to lock the trapezeboom 54 in a desired position. A trapeze bar assembly 60 depends fromthe trapeze boom 54.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and 3, there is shown a plurality of actuators62. Each of the actuators 62 includes an actuator arm 64 which isoperatively engaged with a linkage member 66. The linkage member 66operatively links the actuator arm 64 with a respective one of thebackrest section 20, the leg section 24, the foot section 26, and themain frame 12 to cause an inclination of the respective one of thebackrest section 20, the leg section 24, the foot section 26, and themain frame 12 upon actuation of the actuator arm 64. A controller 67 isprovided to control actuation of the actuators 62. The actuators 62 canbe a push type actuator, a pull type actuator, or a push/pull typeactuator as desired. In the embodiment shown, the actuators 62 arepush/pull type actuators. It is understood that electrical actuators,hydraulic actuators, a combination thereof, or other actuators can beused without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.

FIGS. 1-4 show a pair of side rails 68 adjustably connected to each sideof the main frame 12 adjacent the backrest section 20 for the safety ofthe patient. The side rails 68 can be place in multiple positions. Tofacilitate transport, the side rails 68 can be dropped down into themain frame 12 to facilitate a width of 39 inches to fit through astandard 42-inch door. An ingress/egress bar 70 is pivotally mounted toeach side of the main frame 12 adjacent the foot section 26 to assistwith ingress and egress of the patient for the bariatric patientmanagement system 10.

A load cell 72 is connected to each of the wheels 18 as illustrated inFIG. 4. FIG. 7 shows a partial exploded perspective view and FIG. 8shows a side elevational view of the load cell 72 and the wheel 18. Across member 74 is connected to the main frame 12. The load cell 72 isdisposed in the cross member 74 and the wheel 18 is connected to theload cell 72 by any conventional fastening method such as threadedfasteners, for example. Thus, the load of the bariatric patientmanagement system 10 is transmitted through the load cell 72. The loadcell 72 is electrically connected to a weight display unit 76, as shownin FIG. 1, such that a weight signal sent from the load cell 72 to theweight display unit 76 can be shown.

In operation, the bariatric patient management system 10 can beconfigured in a plurality of positions. The actuators 62 can be used toraise and lower the backrest section 20, the leg section 24, the footsection 26, or any combination thereof. Additionally, the bariatricpatient management system 10 height can be raised or lowered. Atrendelenburg position and a reverse trendelenburg position are alsofacilitated by operation of the actuators 62. The bariatric patientmanagement system 10 can be configured as a chair to place the patientin a seated position.

The trapeze boom 54 is pivotally received on the trapeze base frame 50.Thus, during patient evaluation or ingress/egress, the trapeze boom 54can be pivoted to the side to a position as desired. The spring loadedlocking pin 56 cooperates with the apertures 58 to lock the trapeze boom54 in the desired position.

Use of the side pull out extensions 38 facilitates a widening andnarrowing of the mattress supporting surface 27 of the bariatric patientmanagement system 10. Use of the end pull out extension 44 facilitates alengthening and shortening of the mattress supporting surface 27 of thebariatric patient management system 10. The ability to change the lengthand width of the bariatric patient management system 10 facilitates alarger patient, thus maximizing the comfort of the patient. The abilityto change the length and width of the bariatric patient managementsystem 10 also facilitates transport of the bariatric patient managementsystem 10 as desired. During times of emergency or evacuation, healthcare providers may not have the time necessary to transfer a patient toa wheel chair or other transporting device. By providing a quick andeasy adjustment method, safety and flexibility of transport aremaximized.

The bariatric patient Management system 10 can also be provided with anoptional 24-volt electric powered drive wheel (not shown) disposed on atleast one of the wheels 18 to assist the health care provider duringtransport of the patient. Other features provided include specialopenings provided in the headboard 14 and the footboard 16 to mountpatient various devices such as the display unit 76, for example. A CPRquick release backrest (not shown) with a cable release backrestadjacent the foot section 26 is also provided. A safety battery back up(not shown) can be used to raise or lower a desired section of the bedand/or the bed height in an emergency.

From the foregoing description, one ordinarily skilled in the art caneasily ascertain the essential characteristics of this invention and,without departing from the spirit and scope thereof, can make variouschanges and modifications to the invention to adapt it to various usagesand conditions.

1. A bariatric patient management system comprising: a body supportingmain frame having a mattress supporting surface, said main frameincluding at least one of an extensible side pull out extension and anextensible end pull out extension to increase an area of the mattresssupporting surface; a plurality of ground engaging wheels disposed onsaid main frame to facilitate a transporting of the bariatric patientmanagement system; and a plurality of actuators to effect a change in acontour of the mattress supporting surface of said main frame.
 2. Thebariatric patient management system according to claim 1, wherein saidmain frame includes a backrest section, a middle section, a leg section,and a foot section.
 3. The bariatric patient management system accordingto claim 2, wherein the actuation of one of said actuators causes aninclination of one of the backrest section, the leg section, and thefoot section.
 4. The bariatric patient management system according toclaim 1, further comprising a trapeze base frame having a two-pointmounting configuration.
 5. The bariatric patient management systemaccording to claim 4, wherein said trapeze base frame includes apivotally mounted trapeze boom.
 6. The bariatric patient managementsystem according to claim 1, further comprising at least one load cellmounted between said wheels and said main frame, said at least one loadcell adapted to provide a weight of the bariatric patient managementsystem.
 7. The bariatric patient management system according to claim 1,wherein said actuators are at least one of a push type and a pull type.8. The bariatric patient management system according to claim 1, whereinsaid actuators are electric type actuators.
 9. The bariatric patientmanagement system according to claim 1, wherein said actuators arehydraulic type actuators.
 10. A bariatric patient management systemcomprising: a main frame having a backrest section, a middle section, aleg section, and a foot section cooperating to form a mattresssupporting surface, each of the backrest section, the middle section,the leg section and the foot section including at least one extensibleside pull out extension to increase a width of the mattress supportingsurface; a plurality of ground engaging wheels disposed on said mainframe to facilitate a transporting of the bariatric patient managementsystem; and a plurality of actuators, an actuation of at least one ofsaid actuators causing an inclination of one of the backrest section,the leg section, and the foot section to effect a change in a contour ofthe mattress supporting surface.
 11. The bariatric patient managementsystem according to claim 10, further comprising a trapeze base framehaving a two-point mounting configuration.
 12. The bariatric patientmanagement system according to claim 11, wherein said trapeze base frameincludes a pivotally mounted trapeze boom.
 13. The bariatric patientmanagement system according to claim 10, further comprising at least oneload cell mounted between said wheels and said main frame, said at leastone load cell adapted to provide a weight of the bariatric patientmanagement system.
 14. The bariatric patient management system accordingto claim 10, wherein said main frame includes an extensible end pull outextension to increase a length of the mattress supporting surface. 15.The bariatric patient management system according to claim 10, whereinsaid actuators are at least one of a push type and a pull type.
 16. Thebariatric patient management system according to claim 10, wherein saidactuators are electric type actuators.
 17. The bariatric patientmanagement system according to claim 10, wherein said actuators arehydraulic type actuators.
 18. A bariatric patient management systemcomprising: a main frame having a first end and a second end; a backrestsection disposed on said main frame adjacent the first end, saidbackrest section including at least one backrest panel; a middle sectiondisposed on said main frame adjacent said backrest section, said middlesection including at least one middle panel; a leg section disposed onsaid main frame adjacent said middle section, said leg section includingat least one leg panel; a foot section disposed on said main frameadjacent the leg section and the second end of said main frame, saidfoot section including at least one foot panel, the backrest panel, themiddle panel, the leg panel, and the foot panel cooperating to form amattress supporting surface, a backrest side pull out extensionslidingly disposed in a side of the backrest section; a middle side pullout extension slidingly disposed in a side of the middle section; a legside pull out extension slidingly disposed in a side of the leg section;a foot side pull out extension slidingly disposed in a side of the footsection, said backrest side pull out extension, said middle side pullout extension, said leg side pull out extension, and said foot side pullout extension cooperating to increase a width of the mattress supportingsurface; a plurality of ground engaging wheels disposed on said mainframe to facilitate a transporting of the bariatric patient managementsystem; a backrest actuator linked to said backrest section, anactuation of said backrest actuator causing an inclination of saidbackrest section; a leg actuator linked to said leg section, anactuation of said leg actuator causing an inclination of said legsection; a foot actuator linked to said foot section, an actuation ofsaid foot actuator causing an inclination of said foot section.
 19. Thebariatric patient management system according to claim 18, wherein saidmain frame includes a telescoping end pull out extension to increase alength of the mattress supporting surface.
 20. The bariatric patientmanagement system according to claim 18, further comprising at least oneload cell mounted between said wheels and said main frame, said at leastone load cell adapted to provide a weight of the bariatric patientmanagement system.